HERNANDO COUNTY, FL (352today.com)—Identity theft is not a joke—there is no need to explain that to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO).
On the morning of Oct. 15, an HCSO detective says he was traveling to work on Commercial Way in Spring Hill. The detective traveled northbound near the area of Hunter’s Lake Rd. when he reported that he observed something rather odd.
The detective says he spotted a black Dodge Charger just a bit further behind his car. The driver of the Charger, later identified as 33-year-old Frank Michael DeJiulio Jr., began to approach the detective.
As DeJiulio’s car crept closer, the detective mentioned that he noticed the driver had after-market aluminum wheels and a “push-bumper” with lights attached to his car. The detective says he could not determine the exact color of the lights.
The detective and the driver approached a red light at the intersection of Spring Hill Dr. and Commercial Way. At this point, the detective states that DeJiulio switched lanes and pulled up behind him.
DeJiulio waited at the intersection and moved into the lane beside the detective, turning on the lights on his push-bumper. The detective, driving an unmarked car, noted that he saw the red and blue lights.
HCSO says that DeJiulio reportedly drove through the red light with his lights on.
The HCSO detective says he immediately radioed for patrol deputies to conduct a traffic stop on the Charger. Dispatchers say they stopped the Charger near Lowe’s on Commercial Way.
When deputies approached DeJiulio, they say that he denied having red and blue lights on the vehicle. The detective intervened, telling DeJuilio he saw him trigger the lights before running the stop light.
HCSO says DeJiulio lowered his head and admitted to activating the lights and running the traffic signal.
Deputies placed the 35-year-old DeJuilio under arrest and charged him with:
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False Personation
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Prohibited Use of Certain Lights
In addition, the detective who caught DeJiulio issued him a traffic citation for Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device.
His bond is currently set at $6,000.
The Dodge Charger that Dejulio operated was towed. HCSO says the car belonged to his girlfriend.
HCSO says it is unknown if DeJiulio represented himself as a law enforcement officer in contact with citizens.
Anyone who believes they interacted with DeJiulio while he identified as a law enforcement officer is asked to contact the HCSO.